New York  - The United Nations on Wednesday condemned the terrorist attack aimed at the United States embassy in Yemen that killed at least 16 people and injured many other civilians.

Both the UN Security Council and Secretary General Ban Ki-moon issued statements "strongly condemning" the attacks.

Ban said he was "saddened" by the reported 16 deaths, which included Yemeni guards and civilians outside the embassy in the capital Sana'a.

He and the council extended condolences to families of the victims and called on the government to bring the perpetrators before justice.

"Attacks on diplomatic facilities and personnel worldwide are against international law and are totally unacceptable," Ban said in the statement. (dpa)